Stock Compensation Plans

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock Compensation Plans

Stock Compensation Plans

Charter’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock, restricted stock units and restricted stock.  Directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as others performing consulting services for the Company, are eligible for grants under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company granted 12,500 shares of restricted stock. Restricted stock vests annually over a one to four-year period beginning from the date of grant. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company granted 6,000 and 14,300 stock options. Stock options generally vest annually over four years from either the grant date or delayed vesting commencement dates. Stock options generally expire ten years from the grant date. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company granted 15,500 restricted stock units. Restricted stock units have no voting rights and vest ratably over four years from either the grant date or delayed vesting commencement dates. As of March 31, 2012, total unrecognized compensation remaining to be recognized in future periods totaled $39 million for restricted stock, $59 million for stock options and $10 million for restricted stock units and the weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized is 3 years for restricted stock, stock options and restricted stock units.

The Company recorded $11 million and $7 million of stock compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which is included in selling, general, and administrative expense and other operating expenses, net.